Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Graham Stuart and Afzal Khan

Tuesday 28th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)]

13. How many onshore wind farms have been established in England since 2015.

[The Minister of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Graham Stuart)]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Since 2015, 10 onshore wind projects totalling 30 MW have been consented for development in England, of which three have become operational.

[Afzal Khan]

The Government’s onshore wind ban has raised bills for every family by £150 each. Keeping this ban in place would mean bills are £16 billion higher in 2030 compared with Labour’s plan to double onshore wind. Will the Secretary of State apologise for the dogma of his Government that has led to more imported gas and raised bills, with energy companies making record profits and families paying the price?

[Graham Stuart]

The hon. Gentleman is a very fine Member of this House, but I really would warn him against reading out the screeds produced by his party centre. In 2010, just 7% of our electricity came from renewables; it is now heading its way to half. Onshore wind has an important part to play, and we are looking at ways in which we can enable communities that do support onshore wind to go ahead and deliver it.